An executive’s day can disappear into inbox triage, calendar juggling and follow-ups that never quite close.
AI tools now draft, sort and summarize much of that work, but someone still has to direct them, check the output and make the judgment calls.
That’s the job of a modern virtual assistant. This guide compares 10 virtual assistant companies on what they actually publish: price, hours, talent location, commitment and the support behind each assistant.
Key Takeaways
- The #1 pick has the lowest effective full-time rate on this list, about USD 6.24 an hour, with a Customer Success Manager and free replacement included.
- Time etc, Zirtual and Delegated suit executives who want US-based assistants on smaller monthly blocks of hours.
- Boldly and Athena sit at the premium end, with pricing from USD 2,600 and USD 3,000 a month.
- Prialto and Athena both publish 90-day minimum commitments.
- Check rollover rules before you buy: Time etc rolls hours over on plans of 20 hours and up, while Zirtual hours expire.
Top 10 Virtual Assistant Companies for Busy Executives
The table uses each provider’s published pricing as of November 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor’s own site before you sign.
| Company | Best for | Talent location | Starting price | Commitment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wing Assistant | Overall managed executive support | Global, with a US-based option | USD 699/month for 80 hours | Month-to-month |
| Time etc | Small blocks of US-based help | US | USD 390/month for 10 hours | Cancel any time |
| Boldly | Premium employed assistants | US and UK | USD 2,600/month for 40 hours | No contract |
| Prialto | Process-driven recurring work | Not listed on pricing page | USD 1,600 per 55-hour unit | 90-day minimum per unit |
| Double | App-based delegation | Matched to your area | USD 549/month for 10 hours | No long-term contract |
| Athena | One full-time dedicated EA | Not listed on pricing page | USD 3,000/month on a 12-month plan | 12 months, or 90 days then monthly |
| Magic | Low-cost full-time coverage | Philippines and Latin America | USD 360/week for 40 hours a week | Four-week billing |
| Zirtual | US help shared across a team | US | USD 599/month for 12 hours | No long-term contract |
| Delegated | US-based W-2 assistants | US | USD 1,200/month for 25 hours | 14-day money-back guarantee |
| Wishup | Fixed daily coverage | India, with a US-based tier | USD 1,299/month for 4 hours a day | Monthly plans |
1. Wing Assistant: Best overall for busy executives
Wing Assistant recruits, trains and supervises a dedicated assistant for you and advertises going live in 48 hours.
If you want to hire a personal assistant for inbox, calendar, travel and follow-ups without running the search yourself, this managed model is the most practical starting point on the list.
Why choose it
- Both general plans include a dedicated assistant, a Customer Success Manager, free replacement and ongoing quality supervision.
- Assistants work your time zone and hours, with tasks tracked in its Workspace app.
- The company states it is SOC 2 certified and ISO 27001 and HIPAA compliant.
Watch for: The service isn’t built for one-off or short-term tasks, and the part-time plan caps file storage at 10 GB.
2. Time etc: Best for small blocks of US-based support
Time etc sells monthly blocks of 10 to 60 hours with a dedicated assistant matched to you. It suits executives whose admin load is steady but light.
Why choose it
- Extra assistants and team sharing are included at no cost.
- Unused hours roll over on plans of 20 hours and up.
- You can switch plans or cancel at any time.
Watch for: The largest published plan is 60 hours a month (USD 2,160), so heavier workloads need a custom quote.
3. Boldly: Best premium option for employed assistants
Boldly is a subscription staffing company whose assistants are W-2 employees in the US and UK. You subscribe to a set number of hours each month without a contract.
Why choose it
- Plans come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
- A buy-out program lets you hire your assistant full-time later.
- Monthly hours can be adjusted as your needs change.
Watch for: The 40-hour entry plan works out to USD 65 an hour, and specialist work outside executive assistance is billed at USD 79 an hour.
4. Prialto: Best for process-driven recurring work
Prialto sells support in units of 55 or more hours a month, each backed by an Engagement Manager and continuity management. The model suits repeatable work such as CRM updates and recurring reports.
Why choose it
- Fractional plans start at 80% backup coverage.
- Flat unit pricing comes with no overage fees.
- Full-time support (three or more units, 165+ hours) gets discounts on annual contracts.
Watch for: Each unit carries a 90-day minimum, plus a USD 250 setup fee in month one that is waived on a one-year agreement.
5. Double: Best for app-based delegation
Double pairs a dedicated assistant with its own delegation app, which includes an AI-enabled assistant called Mingo. The company says its assistants average five years of experience.
Why choose it
- The Starter plan promises matching within four business days.
- Higher tiers add a dedicated Customer Success Manager and the option to interview assistants first.
- There are no long-term contracts.
Watch for: A USD 300 onboarding fee applies, refunded if you stay with Double longer than three months.
6. Athena: Best for one full-time EA with coaching
Athena places one full-time executive assistant who is vetted, trained and employed by Athena. The service adds delegation coaching to help executives hand off more.
Why choose it
- Matching is algorithmic, with tailored onboarding.
- Athena manages the assistant’s performance.
- It says clients report reclaiming 20 to 40% of their workweek.
Watch for: The USD 3,000 rate requires a 12-month commitment. Month-to-month billing costs USD 3,600 after an initial 90-day commitment.
7. Magic: Best value for full-time coverage
Magic prices dedicated 40-hour-a-week assistants by the week, with talent in the Philippines and Latin America working your time zone. Its Executive Assistant plan costs USD 540 a week.
Why choose it
- Executive Assistants are curated from the top 0.5% of talent and include Magic 24/7.
- You only pay once you have selected your assistant.
- There are no long-term commitments or hiring fees.
Watch for: Standard billing runs every four weeks, and weekly billing is quoted separately through sales.
8. Zirtual: Best for US help shared across a small team
Zirtual assigns college-educated US-based assistants and prices plans by hours and users. Its 45-hour Team plan (USD 1,699) covers four users.
Why choose it
- Assistants respond within two hours during your business hours.
- You get direct contact by phone, SMS and email.
- There is no setup fee, and onboarding starts with a delegation strategy call.
Watch for: Hours don’t roll over, and cancellations take effect the following month without prorated credit.
9. Delegated: Best for US-based W-2 assistants
Delegated staffs its service with full-time W-2 employees based in the US. It says its nine-point screening leads to a 2% hire rate.
Why choose it
- Plans carry a 14-day money-back guarantee.
- Extra hours come in blocks of 3, 5, 10 or 20 at USD 60 an hour.
- A virtual receptionist add-on starts at USD 260 a month.
Watch for: Every published plan works out to USD 48 an hour, from 25 hours (USD 1,200) to 75 hours (USD 3,600).
10. Wishup: Best for fixed daily coverage
Wishup sells a dedicated assistant in four- or eight-hour daily blocks across Prime, Elite and US-based tiers. Its assistants are based in India or, on a separate tier, the US.
Why choose it
- Prime starts at USD 1,299 a month for four hours a day.
- The US-based tier covers roles that need US staff.
- Wishup advertises a 7-day money-back guarantee.
Watch for: The US-based tier costs USD 5,400 a month at eight hours a day, and daily blocks suit steady rather than bursty workloads.
What a Virtual Assistant Does for Executives in 2026
A virtual assistant handles recurring work remotely, but the role has shifted. The strongest assistants now run an AI layer of scheduling tools, transcription and inbox filters, then step in where judgment matters.
Common executive tasks include:
- Inbox and calendar: triage, scheduling and meeting prep.
- Travel: flights, hotels and itineraries.
- CRM and follow-ups: contact updates and chasing open threads.
- Research and reporting: briefings and recurring reports.
Why a Hybrid AI-Human Team Matters
AI can draft and sort, but it can’t read a client’s tone or catch an error before it reaches a customer. Handing research to AI makes sense, yet leaders still need to make the call on what happens next. Pairing tools with a supervised human assistant covers both sides.
Handing that routine load to someone you trust is also one of the most practical ways to protect your work-life balance. The hours you get back go to decisions only you can make.
How to Choose the Right Virtual Assistant Company
- List what you’ll delegate. Split tasks between AI tools and work that needs a person.
- Match the model to your volume. Hour blocks suit light loads, while full-time seats suit daily support.
- Check location and hours. Decide whether you need US-based staff or simply coverage in your time zone.
- Read the terms. Look for minimums, setup fees and rollover rules.
- Ask about continuity. Confirm who covers absences and how replacements work.
Freelancer vs. Virtual Assistant Company
| Factor | Freelancer | VA company |
|---|---|---|
| Vetting | You do it | Done for you |
| Absences | Work usually stops | Backup or replacement, depending on provider |
| Contracts and payroll | You manage them | Usually handled by the provider |
| Cost | Often lower per hour | Higher, but includes management |
What a Managed Virtual Assistant Costs
Effective rates below divide each published plan price by its included hours, assuming every hour is used.
| Plan | Published price | Effective hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Wing Assistant, full-time | USD 999 for 160 hours | About USD 6.24 |
| Magic, Virtual Assistant | USD 360 for 40 hours | USD 9.00 |
| Prialto, one unit | USD 1,600 for 55 hours | About USD 29.09 |
| Time etc, 60 hours | USD 2,160 for 60 hours | USD 36.00 |
| Zirtual, Team plan | USD 1,699 for 45 hours | About USD 37.76 |
| Delegated, Lite | USD 1,200 for 25 hours | USD 48.00 |
| Double, Starter | USD 549 for 10 hours | USD 54.90 |
| Boldly, 40 hours | USD 2,600 for 40 hours | USD 65.00 |
The sticker price isn’t the full cost. Watch for setup or onboarding fees (USD 250 at Prialto, a refundable USD 300 at Double), minimum terms, hours that expire and extra-hour rates such as Delegated’s USD 60. Budget for any software seats your assistant needs, too.
Conclusion
For most busy executives, the managed service ranked first offers the best balance of price, oversight and flexibility. It also carries the lowest effective full-time rate here.
Time etc, Zirtual and Delegated fit US-based hour blocks. Boldly and Athena suit leaders who want premium employed assistants, while Magic and Wishup cover full-time offshore support.
Compare shortlisted providers against the same task list, then set first-month goals such as fewer scheduling conflicts and closed follow-ups.
FAQ
How much does a virtual assistant cost for an executive in 2026?
Published plans on this list run from about USD 6 an hour for a full-time managed assistant to USD 65 an hour for premium US and UK staff. Monthly entry prices start at USD 390 for 10 hours at Time etc.
Is a VA company better than hiring a freelancer?
A company costs more per hour but handles vetting, contracts and replacements. A freelancer suits you if you’re comfortable managing those yourself.
Which companies offer US-based virtual assistants?
Time etc, Zirtual and Delegated staff US-based assistants. Boldly employs assistants in the US and UK, and Wishup sells a separate US-based tier.
Do unused virtual assistant hours roll over?
It depends on the provider. Time etc rolls hours over on plans of 20 hours and up, while Zirtual hours expire at the end of each month.